Keep Learning

To set up and cook meat with an electric smoker, use the following steps.

Set up the smoker

To set up the smoker, take out all of the parts and insert the chip tray, drip pan and grills. Plug the power cord into the grill and then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.

Break in the smoker

To break in the smoker, turn it on to high and let it sit for around 10 minutes. Open the door or lid to let the smoke out and then let it sit for another 10 minutes. Repeat the process a few times. Add some wood chips to the chip tray and some meat to the top grill. It is advisable to use meat that won't be consumed, as the first batch from a new smoker does not usually turn out well. Cook the meat for 30 minutes.

Cook some meat

Meat takes longer to cook in a smoker than it does on a grill. The exact cooking time depends on the type of meat involved and the size of the cut. For example, pork chops take around 45 minutes per pound to cook, beef roasts require 25 to 30 minutes per pound and a whole fish may take anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the size. Manufactures such as Brinkmann often provide cooking time charts for their grills. Use a meat thermometer to avoid under-cooking or overcooking the meat.